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For Immediate Release:
WCHA ANNOUNCES DEVELOPMENT OF ALL BREED
HALTER
"CLAIMING" FUTURITIES COMPETITION
One of the challenges facing the Board of Directors of the World Conformation Horse Association has been addressing how our organization can best serve ALL breeders, owners and exhibitors of halter horses. At a quick glance of the industry as a whole it's apparent that all events and focus are on the horses that can compete at the highest level, the World Shows, the All American Congress and even our WCHA sponsored Jerry Wells Memorial Futurities. Although the numbers of breeder's futurities in several states has decreased in number the elite horses take home the awards and prize money.
We as breeders are all striving to raise foals that can win at the highest level but of the hundreds of halter foals born every year only a small percentage fall into this elite category. Regardless if you breed a couple mares as a hobby, or if you're a large breeder with 50 mares and a prominent stallion, we all raise foals that are of good quality with excellent bloodlines, however, if they can't place in the top 10 at world show competition their show career and marketability are limited.
Each year we see fewer and fewer entries in the halter classes at the weekend horse shows because the average horses can't compete against the elite horses that are at the show qualifying for world show competition. It's very discouraging for someone new to the industry to get started showing halter horses because there are no divisions based on the quality of horses showing in the class, homegrown horses shown by exhibitors with limited experience and financial means compete against prominent trainers or owners leading world champions. Not saying there shouldn't be places for prominent trainers and owners with world champion horses but we need to even the playing field and have a place for everyone.
Even in a struggling economy the elite horses bring $20,000/$50,000/$75,000 and more, well out of the price range of most exhibitors. If only there were halter classes where exhibitors could show the more affordable horses, against horses and exhibitors with the same abilities and qualities, our industry could see much needed growth.
The popularity of the NCHA and NRHA has been growing because they have several levels of competition based on horse and rider skills. Beginners can purchase a cheaper horse and compete against other horses and exhibitors with the same skills. The race horse industry has been using another very successful method for decades to separate different classes of horses so that more owners/trainers/breeders have fair competition regardless of the value and quality of the horse. They've been using claiming races, where horses of the same monetary value are grouped together by entering a race with a designated claiming price, any horse entered can then be "claimed by another owner/trainer" for the claiming price of the race. This prevents higher valued horses from entering a lower valued claiming race so the competition among participants stays evenly matched.
For example, a multi-million dollar Kentucky Derby winner would never enter a $5000 claiming race for fear of being claimed by another owner, by contrast, in halter horse competition we have no means to separate the lesser quality horses so a beginning halter horse enthusiast often times competes against world champions. These claiming classes also serve as an effective marketing tool. Trainers and owners with a keen eye use claiming races to purchase nice horses that haven't reached it's full potential by claiming these horses at a "no haggle" price based on the claiming amount of race.
In an effort to address these problems facing the halter industry and encourage our membership and prospective members to more actively participate in events, the WCHA is sponsoring a set of ALL BREED Weanling Halter Claiming Classes. The classes will be held during the Cajun Classic Quarter Horse Circuit in Gonzales, Louisiana, November 25th through 28th. (The Louisiana Breeders and the Rainbow Futurities are also held this weekend so your weanling might also be eligible to compete in these futurities as well.) Taking this a step further, only non-professional exhibitors are eligible to compete in these claiming classes, it will be limited to "Intermediate Non-Pros". (Defined as Non Pros, 19 yrs and older who have not won a Quarter Horse Congress Halter Championship or a World or Reserve World Championship in AQHA or APHA in the previous 5 years.) The following is the list of classes offered:
- $3500 Claiming Class for Weanling Colts (Geldings and Stallions Combined)
- $6500 Claiming Class for Weanling Colts (Geldings and Stallions Combined)
- $6500 Claiming Class for Weanling Fillies
- $10,000 Claiming Class for Weanling Fillies
$3000 in added money will be split between all four classes, pro-rated on the number of entries in each class, 90% of entry fees added back. A beautiful sterling silver trophy buckle will be awarded to each futurity champion. By entering any of the specific classes listed above the owner recognizes that the horse can be claimed by another party and is willing to sell the horse for the amount of the claiming class. Horses must be "registered" with AQHA, APHA, Appaloosa or Pinto breed associations. Entry fees per class is $150.00 however, entries prior to Nov 1 will be accepted at $140.00 as an incentive to enter early. Furthermore, if you enter early you have the option to switch to different claiming class up to one hour prior to class. For entry forms, and complete set of rules contact Brian Causey or Don Falcon, contact information listed below.
Prior to each class, prospective buyers will have time to walk around and inspect futurity entries and visit with owners before they file their claim. Anyone, 19 years or older, can claim a horse that competes in a futurity for the amount of the claiming class. A claim slip will be given to the claim secretary anytime prior to the completion of the judge placing the class. A $200 cash deposit is made with each claim, if more than one claim is made on a horse the lucky claim will be drawn out of a hat with unsuccessful claim deposits returned. The claim secretary will hold the registration papers on the horse until balance of claim is made in full, checks for remaining amount will be accepted. If a horse is claimed, the futurity winnings will be split 50-50 with original owner and new claimant.
$500 sponsorship contributions from Heck Yea QH (Wallace and Kristy Heck), Rancho Poco Loco (Bobbie and Henry Atkinson), Landlock QH (Daniel Chocola), Causey Farms (Brian and Dawn Causey) Stehney QH (Joy Stehney) Triple J Paint and QH (Wayne and Erin Jefcoat) Headley QH (Steve and Kathy Headley) have lead the way in getting this program off the ground.
Each futurity champion will be awarded a sterling silver trophy buckle sponsored by Carlton Leger (2) Craig Parmley and Don Falcon.
Don Falcon, WCHA Futurity Chairman adds, "We truly thank our sponsors for their financial support with these futurities, without their unselfish desire to help the halter industry this event and others like it would not be possible. These claiming classes are something never tried in the halter industry, the purpose is to provide competition for the lesser valued horses that we all raise. The number of participants taking part in this inaugural event will determine if future events will be held, anyone that sees this as a positive move for future growth we urge you to participate. So far, the excitement generated by this concept has been through the roof so we're expecting a great turnout."
For further information:
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YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS THE "PARTY", NOVEMBER 19 AT THE AQHA WORLD SHOW
GREAT FOOD AND DANCE TO LIVE MUSIC
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC - SPONSORED BY WCHA
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